Moving & Storage Arbitration - IAM
Over 30 million people move each year in the United States. Many of those hire a moving company to transport their household goods. In the event that household items are lost or damaged in transit, customers are entitled to file an arbitration claim against the moving company.
The International Association of Movers (IAM), a non-profit trade association, offers a Household Goods Dispute Settlement Program to assist customers and IAM-member moving companies in the dispute resolution process. Currently, this only applies to US interstate shipments. FORUM is the designated program administrator.
FORUM’s administration makes it easy for dissatisfied customers and moving companies to have their grievances resolved in a manner that is fast, affordable, and most importantly, fair.
IAM Arbitration Rules and Instructions
The arbitration procedures provided under this program have been developed by the International Association of Movers (IAM) and FORUM for use by US-based IAM members and their customers. They pertain to the interstate transportation and services related to the interstate transportation of household goods in the United States. The purpose of these arbitration procedures is to provide a relatively inexpensive alternative to the court system for resolving disputes involving loss or damage claims and charges billed in excess of those collected at delivery. In the United States, these arbitration procedures are governed by the provisions of Section 14708, Title 49, as amended, of the United States Code under the authority of the US Department of Transportation.
If you are viewing this page for information only, you may request arbitration of a dispute by following the instructions provided on the IAM website at www.iamovers.org.
If you have already submitted an official arbitration request through IAM, received the claim forms, and are now prepared to submit your dispute to FORUM for resolution, you must do so within thirty (30) Calendar Days after the date of the transmittal letter. Complete and return the required forms and other supporting documentation, along with your portion of the Administrative Fee (See Rule 8) for initiating the arbitration proceeding (unless a different payment arrangement has been previously agreed to by the Carrier), to:
FORUM
P. O. Box 50191
Minneapolis, MN 55405
(if by mail)
OR
FORUM
6465 Wayzata Boulevard
Suite 480
Minneapolis, MN 55426-1764
(if by courier)
IAM Arbitration Resources
Use the following forms and links to assist you in the Arbitration Process.
IAM Arbitration FAQ
As a result of an interstate move, items damaged during shipment or claims regarding Carrier charges for interstate shipments may be included in a claim. The arbitration procedures are governed by the provisions of Section 14708, Title 49, as amended, of the United States Code under the authority of the US Department of Transportation.
Yes. The Carrier is obligated to arbitrate claims valued at $10,000 or less. However, the Carrier may voluntarily arbitrate claims valued at more than $10,000. Please refer to Rule 4 of the IAM Household Goods Dispute Settlement Program Rules for more information.
Most of the time, the arbitration is conducted on the papers, meaning that the submissions filed with FORUM will be reviewed by the arbitrator and the arbitrator will issue an award based on the submissions received. Oral arguments are allowed, but must be agreed upon by both parties to the dispute. Please refer to Rule 10 of the IAM Household Goods Dispute Settlement Program Rules. Rule 10 is based on the language of the applicable Federal law. (Section 14708, Title 49, of the United States Code.)
From filing of the claim to the award, the process typically takes between 100 and 160 days depending on complexity. The process may take longer if either party requests an extension. Please refer to the timeline found in the Program Rules for the IAM Household Goods Dispute Settlement Program.
A Shipper may request arbitration by sending a Notice to IAM. The request must be sent within ninety (90) Calendar Days of the Carrier’s final written offer or denial of the claim to the Shipper. IAM will send Notice of the Shipper’s request to the Carrier who must respond to IAM within fifteen (15) Business Days advising IAM of the action it wishes to take in response to the Shipper’s request. If the Carrier agrees to submit the disputed Claim to arbitration, or is required to do so pursuant to the statutory criteria and the program rules, IAM forwards the rules and the necessary forms to the Shipper. Within thirty (30) Calendar Days after the date of the IAM transmittal letter, the Shipper must file a claim with FORUM.
Please refer to the Program timeline.
Please refer to the Program timeline.
No. FORUM is a neutral services provider and as such, is unable to assist either party in preparing a claim or submission. However, FORUM is available to answer questions regarding the arbitration process in general, and the program rules.
No. FORUM is a neutral services provider and assigns independent arbitrators to conduct the arbitration and issue an award. The arbitration procedures provided in this program have been developed by IAM and FORUM for use by IAM member Carriers and their customers. Neither IAM nor the Carriers have any involvement in the handling or disposition of a matter before FORUM.
The Program Rules provide for the payment within forty-five (45) days of the award. Please refer to Rule 22 for more information.
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